Natural bantu knots hairstyles

As part of our African pride and heritage, we really cherish the African hair. There is no exotic and indigenous means of showcasing our culture than through Bantu knots. They are a fun hairstyle blessed upon the women of color. Long gone are the days where the Bantu knots were worn late at night when heading to bed or covered with a scarf in public. It took some ounce of confidence for one to step out rocking this unique and versatile hairstyle.

SOURCE: hairstyletrending.com

The trend that once dominated the 90s seems to be making a comeback and many people are taking to it. You can also alternatively use the knot in order to achieve volume and the thirsted for Bantu knot curls. There are many reasons as why you should add it to your bucket list. First, it goes without saying that it won’t cost you an arm and leg. Forget about those Brazilian waves that fetch a fortune, with the Bantu knots it will cost you only a few supplies. The hairstyle works best on natural, relaxed and transitioning hair.

The type of hair and texture will determine whether the Bantu knots suits you either on dry or wet hair. Since it is a bold style, you have to step out in confidence. Confidence and courage is a prerequisite in having a complete and dashing feel to it. You can also opt to remove the knots and rock the curly afro or waves. This hairstyle however is not recommended for short, natural hair. It is also tedious to create these Bantu knots on two-inched length hair.

Natural hairstyles Bantu knots

It will be only a matter of seasons before these awesome Bantu knots hairstyles take Africa by storm. It is not every day that we wake up to hairstyles that represent our African heritage and culture. Here are some hairstyles with the same design that have been spotted in public and has made its way into our hearts:

1. The faux tri Bantu mohawk

SOURCE: cosmopolitan.com

We know that the mohawk design came and went but what we haven’t seen around yet are the knots. This hairstyle is not only unique but it is hard to tell whether you were going of the mohawk or just is part of your style. It is best suited for the three lined mohawk designed faux Bantu knots. In order to create more interest in the hairstyle, you can throw in a dash of color to add more essence and detail. This however hard to pull on Bantu knots on short natural hair, since they require hair with length at least 4 inches and above.

2. Neat Bantu knots updo

SOURCE: notey.com

In case you are gong for the flattering, girly look then these designs are suited for the occasion. This is the best way to show off your baby hair. You can go for different patterns when entangling and partnering the sections depending on your taste. The design can last a week depending on your upkeep. Throw in some bobby pins and olive oil to improve its turgidity and appearance.

3. Braided triangular Bantu knots

SOURCE: blushery.com

Shapes are an ingenious way to showcase the different patterns on your hair. In order to execute these hairdos, plait a couple of stitches using a small part of the hair. The final steps are twisting the remaining sections not patches that make up knots while wrapping the braids around them. Ensure that your hair is dry before parting into sections in order to achieve the desirable results.

4. Natural Bantu knots festival style

SOURCE: notey.com

There is no better way to execute the perfect and simple African look that with the Bantu knots. You can opt for the Bantu knots curls after holding them for a while. Remember to oil the hair to avoid shrinking and breakages. Paint is part of the makeup if you are really going for the whole complete vintage African look.

5. Twists and braids

This is arguably one of the most cooperative African looks that brings together the best of two worlds. This is the perfect way on how to do Bantu knots on crotchet braids. They add vigor to the hairstyle. For that perfect look, make sure that you achieve the square-shaped sections through parting the hair with the rat tail comb. Blend the twists and the braids, make the braids go from top to the bottom knot with the color adding detail to the whole design. With the rat-tailed comb, ensure that the cornrows are intertwined with the braids in a manner that they all face the squared center.

6. Bantu knots long straight hair with accessories

We have been used to the natural Bantu knots design and its time to ask ourselves what can we do to add detail to the simple design? Well accessories are the perfect way to execute the complete outfit. Start by the designing the knots into triangular sections as you plait them independently. When the Bantu knots have already been placed, throw in some accessories such as trinkets of jewelry and clips on the beads.

7. Merged twists and Bantu knots

Without even adding more details, the Bantu knots have a unique and simple look. Take a handful of your hair in which you can twist and form the knots with minimal expertise. Continue with the procedure with close to four folds of the small sections which will eventually merge to form one Bantu knot. Proceed with different sections of the hair until you finish off the look.

8. Half Bantu knots long straight hair updo

These Bantu knot design feature the front part of the hair thus giving it a stylish feel and look. Divide the front hair parts into three sections with the middle part having a triangular shape. Proceed with the twisting the middle section in order to form the Bantu knot with other tiny Bantu sections on the side. This is a common design especially for young girls with the length of the hair close to 4 to six inches long. Throw in the bobby pins to hold the knots in place.

9. Cornrow and Bantu knot wheel

This is a unique way that combines cornrows and the Bantu knots. The cornrows run from top to down which encircling the knots. This is creatively done by parting the hair to form triangular sections while taking some hair from the sides of every section. Eventually the side sections are comprised of the ten braids with a couple of them on either side with the six making up the wheel design. Proceed with the Bantu knots through braiding the rest of the hair then eventually merge the braids with the six wheels.

How to do Bantu knots on short hair

This can prove to be tedious since the short hair can prove to be difficult to pull together. It is next to impossible to create the most perfect Bantu knots if the hair length falls below two inches. But in case you have three inches and above then you can easily create the longer lasting Bantu knots. But for short hair, it requires a lot of parting and dividing the hair into the smaller sections. Here is a guide to help you through the process:

Begin with the clean head of hair as you move to the spray leave in the conditioner

Using the wide tooth comb, comb your hair thoroughly

Ensure that your hair is a bit damp and not soaked in the leave in conditioner or water

While using the rat tail comb, part the short hair into small sections

With the same rat tail comb, create designer or simple parts

Use the mousse or the setting lotion to the hair

Roll or twist your hair using your fingers and form a circle

After rolling not a section, apply more products while tucking your rolled hair and holding it up tightly.

Place a bobby pin directly in the middle of the knot in order to hold the section n place

Repeat the procedure and create other small Bantu knots

It will take approximately close to an hour when installing the knots from the point of using the shampoo to completion. In case you are wondering how long Bantu knots take to dry? It depends on your drying process. Give time for your hair to dry overnight or in case you have a hair dryer, let the hair dry close to 30-45 minutes depending on your hair length. Once the hair has dried, you can choose the type of Bantu knots according to your preferences and the time length. In case you are ready to give your hair a twist, you can remove the bobby pins, put the oil on the hair, untwine the Bantu knots in order to get a curly afro.

You should restyle the short hair Bantu knots frequently as it can give you versatility for close to seven days. Many of the celebrities have been creating waves on the red carpet when it comes to rocking the Bantu knots that have been set on short and natural hair. In order to avoid the knots from falling apart in public, add bands or ties. It is tricky with the short and natural hair since the knots may fall out of place when drying them overnight or in the hair dryer. In case you have straight or relaxed hair, apply more mousse or setting lotion to the Bantu knots.

Subscribe to watch new videos

How to do quick Bantu knots hairstyles for wet hair

In case you have wet hair, the Bantu knots are best but it is all dependent on your texture and length of your hair. The Bantu knots are best put when dry unlike curly or kinky hair which can be damp. For natural hair divas out there with hair type either 4b or 4c, they can install the Bantu knots using damp hair in order to reduce instances of shrinking or dryness of hair. For divas with kinky hair, then a good conditioning is highly recommended in order to achieve those perfect Bantu knots.

Subscribe to watch new videos

For divas with a straight or waiver textures of curly hair they can install the Bantu knots on either wet or dry hair. The way the Bantu knots will finally look is largely depended on the time it took to dry. Based on the kind and brand of products you use while installing the Bantu knots, your natural hair will form a curl. This is because natural hair is temperamental. For those gorgeous Bantu knots, you can either try on wet or dry hair. Many people have been at loggerheads of whether to utilize dry or wet hair for natural Bantu knots. The length of the drying period of the Bantu knots without the dryer can last a maximum of three days but yield results faster and in a day.

Th extensions of the Bantu knots can also work on damp hair also. But for the extensions, they require more pins or hair ties. After you have finally managed to execute the Bantu knots, finish off with the edge control with the use of a brush on the hair line. It takes patience with the Bantu knots in order to realize the best results.

Bantu knots on relaxed hair

This style works well when the hair is close to four to six inches of the relaxed hair in order to have the perfect Bantu knots. Here are some tips for the perfect hairstyle designs:

Before you begin, the relaxed hair should be clean

Place the conditioner and proceed to use the wide tooth comb

Proceed with the combing of the relaxed hair with the condition as you remove the tangles

Rinse the hair until its dry using a piece of cloth for close to three minutes

When using the relaxed hair for Bantu knots, a slightly damp or dry relaxed hair is preferred

When using wet relaxed hair, it will take longer to dry

When using the relaxed hair, it can take a matter of thirty minutes to make the Bantu knots. Brush the hair in sections followed by putting them apart using the rat tail comb.

While using precision, put the relaxed hair into the Bantu knots as they remain in place. Ensure that the texture of the hair is soft and smooth

Divide the hair into sections, as you twist the large pieces with the fingers as you create a corkscrew

With the help of a bobby pin or rubber bands, tie them to keep the hair secured. You can either air dry with special consideration on a hooded dryer.

In case you have relaxed hair, the Bantu knots need to be fully dry. Depending on the upkeep of the Bantu knots, they can last close to a week. In order to maintain the style, rub coconut or olive oil on your palm and slowly massage the knots carefully and tie it with a satin scarf.

Bantu knots on short transitioning hair

Transitioning hair equally applies the same procedures when making the Bantu knots with the relaxed hair. Before you begin the process, ensure that your transitioning hair is shampooed and conditioned. When it comes to transitioning hair, conditioning it happens to be the most important rule. There are two textures that can cause frizz, tangling, dryness and breakage. You need to transition the hair for close to ten to thirty minutes before you start to make the Bantu knots. The two textures must fight with each other. Here is a detailed procedure to help you out:

With a wide tooth comb, comb your hair thoroughly

Ensure that you comb the hair while dry. With curly and transitioning hair, you will it easier to handle after deep conditioning

After the hair is dry, you can proceed to the next step. Start to part and create designer or other simple parts that form the knots

Continue with sectioning the hair from the medium to large piece. With one section in your hands, twirl it in your fingers.

When making the Bantu knots, use the curl defining cream or the setting lotion. Ensure that each section of the hair is twisted with your finger as you repeat it.

Make use of bobby pins or hair pins to hold the hair in place since the hair is curly at the roots.

With the help of a dryer, finish drying off the Bantu knots. These can last you at most two weeks if they are well maintained.

You can also form the bantu knots with fake hair. This is where extensions come as another choice for Bantu knots especially when you have transitioning hair. You can ad the extensions with the help of a stylist. Here is a procedure when using the Marley hair to make Bantu knot extensions:

Make sure that you shampoo, condition and blow the hair dry

Using the wide tail comb, comb the hair with the conditioner as you rinse the hair

Place the curl defining cream as you continue with the brushing

Before you add the extensions, ensure that the sections are smooth. Proceed with creating medium to large sections as you part the hair

With one section in hand, braid the Marley hair into a section. Ensure that you braid to the end with the band hair.

Bantu knots for work with twist out

In case you are a naturalist then you will have a great time with this hairstyle. It can be ingeniously used to produce wavy to curly hair. If you are in the era of transitioning then this style is best suited for you. They have a way of making two completely different textures look completely similar. In order to produce a wave, make use of the transitioning and relaxed hair. For tighter and long-lasting curls, go for the Bantu twist out with the natural hair. Stylists recommend to maintain the Bantu knots for one to four days before untwining them. Here are the steps for achieving the twist outs:

Erect the Bantu knots as you place the bobby pins. Let the hair dry completely in the dryer

Counter check to proof that your hair is completely dry, since damp Bantu knots will have undesirable results for the Bantu knots

Use either olive oil or a preferred oil, rub into your hands as you begin to untwist the Bantu knots.

Unscrew the knots slowly and shake the hair.

The convenient technique is to avoid pulling the curls or trying to finger apart. When heading to sleep, remember to wear a satin bonnet with your pineapple on your hair. In order to create some volume of the hair you can top it off with a shower cap in the morning. The twist out is a common feature when it comes to relaxed, natural and transitioning hairstyles.

No matter what the occasion is you can never go wrong with the Bantu knots. They have been in fashion for ages and they are not going anywhere any time soon. There is no better way of showcasing your African culture and heritage than through these looks. At the end of the day, they will save you the cost of seeking the help of a stylist, that’s what I call striking two birds with one stone.